Aluminum clad weight lifting bar and dumb bells

ABSTRACT

An anodized metal cladded bar bell and dumb bell having color and/or other decorative elements applied to the aluminum cladding wherein the aluminum cladding is configured in substantially the same size and shape as the bar bell part on which it is mounted in covering relation thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to creating a decorative surface on weightlifting apparatus such as bar bells and dumb bells. The invention moreparticularly relates to an aluminum cladded bar bell and dumb bellwherein the aluminum has been anodized to permit the application ofpigments and other decorative elements thereto. Although the inventionis described primarily with regards to Aluminum, other metals andmaterials may be used such as titanium, for example.

Bar bells and dumb bells are typically formed of a hard steel bar withopposite end portions whereon weight discs (plates) of varying sizes andweights are attached. Dumb bells may be offered in the fixed weight orremovable weight styles. In bar bells used for power lifting, theopposite end portions of the bar are typically fitted with rotatablesleeves which allow the weights to rotate relative to the bar. This isimportant so as to not add to the force required to do power liftingwhich involves a quick upward and rotational movement of the wrists andarms. If the weights were rotationally fixed on the ends of the bar, thepower lifting movement would require additional force (separate from thepure lifting force required to lift the weight load) due to theunyielding weight position on the bar. Various known means are used toallow the sleeves to rotate on the bar (e.g., needle bearings locatedbetween the bar and sleeves).

Bar bells range in length and diameter with a men's Olympic bar having alength of 2.2 m (7.22′) from end to end and weighs 20 kg (44.1 lbs). Thecenter (grip) section of the bar is 28 mm (1.1024 in) in diameter andhas knurled grip marks spaced 910 mm apart. The outer sections of thebar located at opposite ends of the center grip section are 50 mm(1.9685 in) in diameter due to the added diameter of the sleeves. Dumbbells are somewhat similar in design with the removable weight typehaving tapped ends wherein a bolt and washer assembly secure the desiredweight to each end of the bar.

Steel is typically used to make bar bells and dumb bells and isvirtually exclusively used for making competition regulation bar bellsso as to prevent deformation of the bar under heavy weight loads whichcan be as high as 1,200 pounds. Steel is an iron-carbon alloy thatcontains less than 2% carbon. Due to the material and surfacecharacteristics, hard steel is not easily susceptible to having durable,lasting coatings such as pigments applied thereto. It is thereforeuncommon to see any type of colorization or decorative element appliedto a bar bell. Bar bells are found in many locations including, forexample, home gyms, public and private fitness centers, school gyms andpro athlete fitness centers. Fitness center owners and pro athletic teamowners heavily advertise their trademarks/names/logos in various outletsand media including websites, television, radio, building signage andnewsletters, for example. Many of these fitness center and athletic teamowners also use merchandising to increase revenue and visibility oftheir trademarks which they apply to towels, work out apparel, waterbottles, etc. Pro athlete training season allows spectators to watchtheir favorite teams train. Training camps are therefore also repletewith all types of media showcasing the teams' trademarks and typicallyhave merchandising tents where people can buy items bearing theirfavorite team's names and logos. While trademarks and logos aretypically found on all types of such media, they have not been found onthe weight lifting bar bells which may be due to the problems ofapplying any decorative element to steel as explained above. It wouldtherefore be desirable to be able to apply decorative elements such astrademarks, logos, indicia, patterns, colors, or any combination thereofto steel bar bells and dumb bells. In this way, fitness center andathletic team owners have yet another highly visible medium on which todisplay their trademarks and logos.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above described need by providingsteel bar bells and dumb bells that include anodized aluminum claddingwhich may have any desired color, pattern, indicia or any combinationthereof (individually and collectively referred to herein as “decorativeelement(s)”) applied thereto. Aluminum is an element extracted from theearth's crust. Aluminum may be anodized to change the surface propertieswhich allow for application of durable pigments (colorization). In theanodizing process, the aluminum part is the anode (positive electrode)of a DC circuit wherein the aluminum is placed in an electroplating cellwith oxalic, sulfuric, or chromatic acid as the plating solution orelectrolyte. Current is applied to the solution causing the anode to beplated with a hard, wear resistance surface. Anodized coatings give thealuminum better appearance and may be colorized. The process of applyingcolor and other decorative elements (including by engraving into thecolor, for example) to anodized aluminum is well known in otherapplications and will therefore not be discussed in detail herein.Various metal coloring processes may also be used on other materialssuch as titanium which may be used for the cladding as desired.

The aluminum cladding parts are sized and configured in the general sizeand shape of the respective bar bell or dumb bell parts (e.g., main bar,rotational weight sleeves, weight stops, weight plates, etc.) on whichthe aluminum cladding part is positioned in covering relation thereto.The decorative element(s) may be first applied to the anodized aluminumcladding which is then placed in covering relation over the variousparts of the bar bell or dumb bell during manufacture and assembly ofthe bar bell or dumb bell. In alternate embodiment of the invention, thealuminum cladding is removable to allow the user to replace the aluminumcladding with different designs as desired. In order to maintain thediameter requirements for a regulation bar bell, the steel bar andweight sleeves may be provided in a slightly reduced diameter (and/orother dimensions, as necessary) such that with the addition of thealuminum cladding, the total diameters and/or other dimensions and/orweight remain at regulation size/weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art bar bell;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bar bell of FIG. 1 having theanodized aluminum cladding of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as taken generally through the line 3-3of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the left side of the bar bell ofFIG. 2 in exploded view;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a weight plate and anodized aluminumdisc in spaced relation thereto;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, side elevational view of an embodiment of an endof a bar bell;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, side elevational view of an embodiment of aflanged weight stop/boss attached to the DOM tubing;

FIG. 8A is a side elevational view of a flanged weight stop/boss showingone method of attaching the aluminum cladding thereto;

FIG. 8B is a perspective viewing the aluminum cladding seen in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is an end view showing attachment of the pins to secure thealuminum cladding and flange together;

FIG. 8D is an enlarged sectional view of the circled portion of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A and 9B are side elevational views of a pair of bar bell endsshowing other methods of attaching the aluminum cladding thereto,respectively;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of weight stop/boss;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of an end of abar bell showing the weight stop/boss of FIG. 10 mounted thereto withaluminum cladding discs positioned on opposite sides thereof;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a dumb bell according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a dumb bell according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 14A-14C are front elevational, side elevational and a top planview (inside a bore) of a removable pin according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are cross-sectional views of an alternate steel barand cladding connection method;

FIG. 16A and 16B are cross-sectional side elevational views of analternate DOM and embodiment of

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art Olympicstyle bar bell designated generally by the reference numeral 10. Barbell 10 includes a steel bar 12 that extends the entire length “L” ofthe bar bell. Bar bell 10 has a center grip section 12A where the usergrasps the bar bell. Center section 12A may include a knurled surface(not shown) to increase grip and also provide visual indication ofproper hand placement. Weight discs 14A and 14B are removably mounted atopposite ends of center section 12A until they locate at a respectivestop 13 and are secured in place by any of a variety of known weightsecuring elements such as clamp 16, for example. Weight stops (onlyright weight stop 13 shown in FIG. 1) locate the respective weight disc14A, 14B on bar 12 and, together with the associated attached weightclamp 16, prevent the weight discs 14A, 14B from axial translation alongbar 12. Stop 13 is usually a collar having a diameter that is largerthan the diameter of the weight disc center aperture.

Steel tubing 18A, 18B (which may comprise “drawn-over-mandrel” or “DOM”tubing) may be provided on steel bar 12 at opposite ends of centersection 12. The diameter of tubing 18A, 18B are of course smaller thanthe weight disc center aperture diameter to allow the weight discs to bemounted thereon. Tubing 18A, 18B are each rotatably mounted on bar 12 topermit rotation of the weight discs 14A, 14B thereon. This assists inreducing the force during a standing power lift which requires a fastupward rotational movement by the weight lifter. With a firm grip on thecenter bar section 12A, this type of fast rotational movement wouldgreatly increase the force required to make the lift if the weight discswere rotationally fixed on the bar. It is therefore standard practicefor the bar bell to have rotational weight mounting tubing 18A, 18B atthe opposite ends of the bar 12. This may be accomplished using thrustor needle bearings (not shown) between the tubing 18A, 18B and bar 12,for example.

As explained above, steel bar bells are not generally known to beadorned with any colors or other decorative elements. Most likely, thisis at least in part due to the fact that steel is not a material easilysusceptible to receiving a durable pigment or decorative element appliedthereto. Furthermore, bar bells are subject to a high degree of wear andtear due to the constant changing of the weights and also the liftersgenerally rough handling thereof (e.g., the bar bell is usually droppedonto a stand or dropped to the floor after a lift with a strong forcedue to the weight of the bar bell). Any applied decorative element wouldtherefore have to be extremely durable so as to not quickly wear offduring normal use of the bar bell. Again, steel is not easilysusceptible to receiving durable applied coatings and any such coatingswould likely wear off too easily and quickly.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate one embodiment of the invention which provides adecorative star pattern application to a bar bell such as bar bell 10.Although a star pattern is shown in the drawing for purpose ofdescription, it is understood that any pattern, color, logo, indicia,lettering, wording, and any combination of the foregoing, may be used asdesired. For example, colleges and pro athletic team owners may want tohave their team colors and/or logos applied to their bar bells. It isalso understood that the present invention may be used on other weightlifting apparatus such as lifting bars (with no weight discs) and dumbbells, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein bar bell 10includes three aluminum sleeves 22 and 24A, 24B positioned intelescoping, covering relation over the center section 12A and weighttubing 18, 18B, respectively. Each of the aluminum sleeves 22 and 24A,24B are seen to be shaped in substantially the same shape and length asthe corresponding bar bell part on which it is mounted with the innerdiameters of the sleeves (ID) being only slightly larger than the outerdiameter (OD) of the part to which it is mounted so that the sleeves maybe easily slid onto their respective bar bell part. It is noted thatwhile cylindrically shaped parts are described and shown herein sincethey are common shapes for the parts of weight lifting bar bells anddumb bells, other shapes may be used as desired so long as the aluminumcladding may be positioned in covering relation to their respectiveparts.

During assembly of the bar bell, the first center section sleeve 22 isslid onto steel bar 12 until it is located at substantially the centergripping section thereof. Referring to FIG. 3, it is seen that means torotationally fix center sleeve 22 to bar 12 is provided in the form of amating groove and flange 22′, 12′ formed in sleeve 22 and bar 12,respectively. Groove 22′ and flange 12′ may or may not extend the fullaxial length of sleeve 22 and bar 12 so long as it creates a reliablerotational fixing between the center sleeve 22 and bar 12. An alternatemeans for rotationally fixing these parts together is seen in FIGS. 15Aand 15B which show a knurled or scalloped type surface formed on theexterior of the entire or partial length of bar 12″ which mates with acooperatively formed surface on the inside of sleeve 22″.

Next, weight stop collars 13 are slid onto the opposite ends of bar 12until they locate against the opposite ends of sleeve 22. Next, aluminumstop collar covers 28 are slid onto opposite ends of bar 12 until theybecome located over a respective stop collar 13. Next, rotatable tubing18A, 18B are slid onto the opposite ends of bar 12 until they becomelocated against stop collars 13. Next, aluminum sleeves 24A, 24B areslid onto a respective rotatable sleeve 18A, 18B. Lastly, aluminum endcaps 30A, 30B are attached to the free ends 24A′, 24B′ of aluminumsleeves 24A, 24B, respectively.

It will thus be appreciated that substantially the entire bar bell 10may be covered in an anodized aluminum cladding which has one or moredecorative elements applied to one or more parts thereof. A clear coatsealer used to seal anodized parts may optionally be applied over thedesign elements. It is also understood that any number of or all of theparts of the bar bell may be covered in the anodized aluminum cladding.

Referring to FIG. 5, aluminum cladding in the form of a disc 42 may beattached to a respective weight plate 40. In this embodiment, the weightplate 40 includes an axially extending (parallel to center aperture axisX-X) annular flange 40A encircling the periphery thereof with thecladding disc outer diameter C_(OD) being slightly smaller than theflange inner diameter F_(ID) to permit the disc 32 to fit snugly againstweight plate surface 40B within the area defined by flange 40A. Althoughonly one side of the weight plate 40 is shown in FIG. 5, it isunderstood that the same flange configuration of the weight disc may beon the opposite side thereof to permit another aluminum cladding disc tobe applied thereto such that the decorative aluminum cladding discsappear at both sides of the weight plate 40. The aluminum cladding disc42 may be removably secured to weight plate 40 via at least one butpreferably at least two or more removable pins 45 which extend throughaligned hole pairs 47A, 49A and 47B, 49B formed in weight disc flange40A and aluminum disc 42, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 14A-14C, one possible embodiment of pin 45 is shownto include a head 45A and shank 45B where head 45A has a reduced widthW₁ with respect to the width W₂ of shank 45B. As such, in the fullyinserted position of pin 45 in an aligned pair of cladding/weight partattachment holes such as 47A, 49A pair of spaces S₁ and S₂ are formed oneither side of head 45A (see FIG. 14C) which permits a tool (e.g.,needle nose pliers) to pass into spaces S1 and S2 to engage pin 45A andremove the pin as desired (e.g., when it is desired to remove a claddingelement and replace it with a cladding element having different designelements). Other removable attachment elements may of course be used asdesired and the invention is not limited to any of the pins discussedherein such as pin 45 shown and described herein.

Referring to FIG. 6, one possible method of attaching aluminum claddingsleeve 24A to the tubing 18A is shown (only one end 18A is shown in FIG.6, it being understood the same configuration may be provided atopposite end 18B). In this embodiment, steel tubing 18A is secured tosteel bar 12A via one or more rings 34A and 34B (e.g., snap rings) whichare located within tubing 18A. End cap 30A includes a neck portion 30Bwhich fits snugly within the inner diameter of tubing end 18A to providea releasable interference fit. To provide further securement, a pin 34may be passed through aligned holes formed in aluminum cladding sleeve24A, tubing 18A and neck portion 30B if desired. As explained above, atool may be used to remove and replace pin 34 when it is desired tochange the aluminum cladding sleeve 24A to a different pattern or color,for example.

Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of weight stop/boss 50 includes aradially outward extending annular flange 50A encircling the peripheryof end surface 50B. The central aperture 53 may be notched to provide astep 53A for seating weight stop/boss 50 against the leading edge ofcladding 24A′. As seen in FIG. 8A, a cup-shaped embodiment of aluminumcladding 28′ is positioned over weight stop/boss 50. Weight stop/bossaluminum cladding 28′ includes a center aperture 28B′ wherethrough bar12, tubing 18A and optionally aluminum cladding sleeve 22 may pass. Theleading edge 28″ of cup-shaped cladding 28′ may include one butpreferably two or more of annularly and evenly spaced projections28A′(FIG. 8B, 8D) which align and pass through a like number ofapertures 50A′ (FIG. 8C, 8D) provided in flange 50A. At least one butpreferably two or more annularly and evenly spaced removable pins 52 maythen be passed through a laterally extending and aligned bore 50″ andprojection aperture 28A″ (FIGS. 8C, 8D) to reliably yet removably securecladding 28′ to weight stop/boss 50. FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate analternate embodiment showing different shaped DOM ends. Pins 50A″ pinthe cladding 28″ to the collar 24A″of the DOM cladding 24A′ with bosspins 52A′ hidden by cladding 28″

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate another embodiment of aluminum cladding 28″which does not include projections 28A′ but rather has a diameter whichis slightly less than and thus abuts flange 50A and is secured theretovia at least one but preferably two or more annularly and evenly spacedpins 54. FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment with the aluminum cladding28″ facing tubing 18A whereas FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment with thealuminum cladding facing bar 12 (sleeve 22 not shown). As explainedabove, all the aluminum cladding described herein has been anodized andincludes one or more design elements thereon.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of weight stop/boss 56 which includes anaxially extending flange 56B (extending parallel to the center axis Y-Yof central aperture 56C) which defines a recessed surface 56A. As seenin FIG. 11, both sides of weight stop/boss 56 may include a flange 56B,56B′ and recessed surface 56A, 56A′ to permit a pair of aluminumcladding discs 56C, 56C′ to be positioned against a respective surface56A, 56A′. One but preferably at least two or more pins 58 are passedthrough flange 56B, 56B′ into discs 56C, 56C′ to secure the discs to theweight stop/boss 56.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show embodiments of the invention for use with dumbbells having a center steel bar 60 and first and second weight heads 62,64 secured at either end of the bar 60, respectively. In FIG. 12, bar 60extends entirely through axial bore holes 62A, 64A extending througheach weight head 62, 64 which are both removably secured to bar 60 viawasher and bolt pairs 66, 68 and 66′,68′ which pass through axiallyextending tapped holes 60A, 60B formed into either end of bar 60,respectively.

In FIG. 13, only one weight head 64 is removably attached to bar 60while the other weight head 62 is fixed (e.g., by welding) to bar end60A which is seen to extend only part way into weight head 62. In eitherembodiment, one weight head 64 is removed from bar 60 and aluminumsleeve 70 is slid onto bar 60 until it locates at the hand grippingsection of bar 60 as seen in FIG. 13. Weight head 64 is then reattachedto bar 60 with washer and bolt pair 66, 68. To rotationally fix sleeve70 to bar 60, a boss 72 may be provided on bar 60 adjacent weight head62 and which may be aligned and engage with a notch 73 formed in sleeve70. A pair of cup-shaped aluminum cladding elements 74, 76 may bepositioned in covering relation over weight heads 62, 64 (only claddingelement 74 shown in FIG. 13) and removably secured thereto via at leastone but preferably two or more pins 78.

Although not shown, it is noted that the gripping sections of thealuminum cladding sleeves 22 (for the bar bell) and 70 (for the dumbbell) may have, in addition to one or more design elements, a knurledsurface treatment to enhance gripping as is known in the weight liftingindustry. It is also noted that one or more of the aluminum claddingelements described herein may be permanently rather than removablyaffixed to their respective weight parts if desired.

While the invention has been described and shown herein with respect topreferred embodiments thereof, it is understood that variousmodifications may be made thereto without departing from the full spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the claims which follow. By wayof a non-limiting example, the cladding may be formed from titaniumincluding alloys thereof or other materials as desired.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aluminum cladded bar bell, said bar bellhaving parts including a steel bar having a center section and oppositeend portions, first and second weight stops located in longitudinallyspaced relation on said bar and defining said bar center sectiontherebetween, and first and second steel weight-mounting sleevesrotatably mounted at opposite ends of said steel bar, said aluminumcladding comprising: a) at least one aluminum part configured insubstantially the same shape as a respective part of said bar bell, saidaluminum part sized to be mounted on said respective part in coveringrelation thereto, said aluminum part being anodized and having a colorapplied thereto.
 2. The aluminum cladded bar bell of claim 1 wherein allof said bar bell parts are covered in a respective aluminum claddingpart.
 3. The aluminum cladded bar bell of claim 1 wherein said bar bellparts have been reduced in diameter prior to mounting of the respectivesaid aluminum cladded parts thereon such that the total diameter withsaid aluminum cladded part is of the desired competition regulationsize.
 4. The aluminum cladded bar bell of claim 1 wherein said aluminumcladded part is engraved.
 5. The aluminum cladded bar bell of claim 1wherein said aluminum cladded part includes a colored pattern.
 6. Atitanium cladded bar bell, said bar bell having parts including a steelbar having a center section and opposite end portions, first and secondweight stops located in longitudinally spaced relation on said bar anddefining said bar center section therebetween, and first and secondsteel weight-mounting sleeves rotatably mounted at opposite ends of saidsteel bar, said titanium cladding comprising: a) at least one titaniumpart configured in substantially the same shape as a respective part ofsaid bar bell, said titanium part sized to be mounted on said respectivepart in covering relation thereto, said titanium part being anodized andhaving a color applied thereto.
 7. The titanium cladded bar bell ofclaim 6 wherein all of said bar bell parts are covered in a respectivetitanium cladding part.
 8. The titanium cladded bar bell of claim 7wherein said bar bell parts have been reduced in diameter prior tomounting of the respective said titanium cladded parts thereon such thatthe total diameter with said titanium cladded part is of the desiredcompetition regulation size.
 9. The aluminum cladded bar bell of claim 1wherein said titanium cladded part is engraved.
 10. The aluminum claddedbar bell of claim 1 wherein said titanium cladded part includes acolored pattern.